Tourism

• Friday, May 8th 2009 - 10:32 UTC

  Montevideo, best quality of life; Santiago leads in infrastructure

  

  Uruguay’s capital Montevideo remains the best city for quality of life for foreign executives in Latinamerica, while Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince is the worst, according to the latest survey from Mercer.

• Tuesday, May 5th 2009 - 11:10 UTC

  Floating ice increasing risk for cruise vessels in Antarctica

  

  New ice break-offs with dimensions that can’t be properly noticed on the sea surface could become a serious risk for Antarctic cruise vessels in the near future, --even when they are scientifically monitored--, according to Chilean glaciologist Ricardo Jaña from the Chilean Antarctic Institute.

• Tuesday, May 5th 2009 - 08:24 UTC

  London city, Europe’s dirtiest but also has the best nightlife

  

  London has been named the dirtiest city in Europe for the second year running, in a new poll. It was also seen as the most expensive city on the continent and as having the most tourist traps and the worst-dressed locals, according to the latest TripAdvisor.

• Monday, May 4th 2009 - 08:56 UTC

  Flu outbreak becomes excuse for trade and tourism restrictions

  

  Three countries worst hit by the global swine flu outbreak have urged economic partners not to allow it to affect international trade. Agricultural ministers from Canada, Mexico and the US said the outbreak should not be used as a reason for unnecessary trade restrictions.

• Friday, May 1st 2009 - 12:55 UTC

  US tourism industry readies for ban-end to travel and vacation in Cuba

  

  There are growing expectations in the Florida based tourism industry that the US government will let US citizens vacation in Cuba. Next Monday begins a trade fair, considered the largest Caribbean island showcase for tour operators, travel agents, airline and cruise representatives from around the world and all eyes are set on the political decision to open Cuba to US tourists after a 47-year trade embargo, reports USA Today.

• Friday, May 1st 2009 - 00:31 UTC

  Regional Andalusia airline begins Gibraltar-Madrid airbridge

  

  Gibraltar expressed confidence that Andalus Lineas Aereas, the regional airline that resumes flights from the Rock to the Spanish capital Madrid as from Thursday morning, “is here to stay and will have a long term presence in Gibraltar”, reports the Gibraltar Chronicle.

• Thursday, April 30th 2009 - 07:54 UTC

  Cruise lines suspend calls at Mexican ports

  

  At least three cruise lines have suspended stops as of this week at Mexican ports because of concerns over the country's swine-flu outbreak. The cancellation of ship visits followed a recommendation issued this week by the U.S. Centres for Disease Control that advised US citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Mexico.

• Monday, April 27th 2009 - 13:40 UTC

  Port costs inhibit cruise industry warn Punta Arenas operators

  

  Port authorities from Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile anticipate a complicated 2009/10 cruise vessel season which could mean 30 to 40% less visitors and a considerable drop in the number of calls.

• Sunday, April 26th 2009 - 19:26 UTC

  Cruise ship “Melody” fended off a pirate attack

  

  An Italian cruise ship carrying 1,200 passengers and crew fended off a pirate attack near the Seychelles, company officials said Sunday. The ship was attacked on Saturday evening by armed pirates firing shots from a small speedboat, 330 kilometres from the Seychelles where the liner had last anchored.

• Thursday, April 23rd 2009 - 13:09 UTC

  Brazil liberates international air passenger fares

  

  Brazil’s Civil Aviation Agency, ANAC, announced Wednesday the gradual liberation of air fares for all international flights departing from Brazil. The decision applies to all regular airlines, national or international and will be arranged according to a one year chronogram.